eInside Briefs

Governor Names Virginia Albanese to Kent State Board of Trustees

Virginia Albanese has been appointed
to serve on the Kent State University
Board of Trustees through May 16, 2022.

Gov. John Kasich has named Virginia Albanese of Akron, Ohio, to serve on the Kent State University Board of Trustees. Her appointment is from Aug. 21, 2013, through May 16, 2022.

Albanese is president and CEO of FedEx Custom Critical, North America’s largest, critical-shipment carrier. Since joining FedEx Custom Critical in 1986, Albanese has served in various roles, including as director of Safety, Recruiting and Contractor Relations, managing director of Service and Safety, and vice president of Customer and Strategic Operations.

Albanese has strong ties to Kent State having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985 and an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1995. She is the immediate past chairwoman of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and serves on a number of other boards to benefit the Northeast Ohio community, including Akron Children’s Hospital and serving as the chairwoman of the Boys and Girls Club of the Western Reserve.

Albanese replaces Jacqueline F. Woods, whose term as a Kent State trustee recently expired.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Kent State. By Ohio law, the Board is responsible for selecting and appointing the president; setting the operating budget; approving personnel appointments; granting all degrees awarded by the university, including honorary degrees; establishing tuition and fee rates; approving contracts; and approving all rules, regulations, curriculum changes, new programs and degrees of the university.

Kent State’s Board of Trustees consists of 12 members, nine of whom are voting members appointed by the governor of the state of Ohio, with the advice and consent of the state senate, to nine-year terms of office. Two student trustees, one undergraduate and one graduate, are appointed by the governor to two-year terms of office. Since 2011, the Board has appointed a national trustee, who serves a three-year term, as an additional non-voting member.

For more information about Kent State’s Board of Trustees, visit www.kent.edu/bot.

Introducing Our People and Initiatives

Kent State University's Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues to work to create an environment here at Kent State that is welcoming to all. Our division has recently undergone some organizational changes to better meet our objectives in serving our university community and working toward inclusive excellence. I am pleased to share these exciting changes with you.

Diversity and Inclusion Leadership
Led by Executive Director Dana Lawless-Andric, our division welcomes Ashley Williams as interim diversity research specialist. Other new appointments include E. Henderson Ellis as director for the Upward Bound Math Science Center and Upward Bound Public Health; Thomas Jefferson as interim director for the Upward Bound Classic Academy; Patty Robinson, assistant director, Upward Bound Public Health; Barb Johnson, administrative assistant; and Gloria Durman, special assistant for the Upward Bound Programs. Krystle Rivera and Jasmina Nolan continue to serve as academic coordinators for Upward Bound Classic and the Upward Bound Math and Science Center, respectively. Gaylen Moore serves as business manager for Upward Bound. Carmen Roberts continues his role as business manager for the division. 

African-American, Latino American and Native American (AALANA) Initiatives
The new interim executive director for AALANA Initiatives and Student Multicultural Center is Keith Wisdom, Ph.D.  Serving as assistant director for AALANA Initiatives is Oscar Ramos, and program coordinator is Trinidy Jeter.

Diversity Assessment and Research
Edward Collins, Ph.D., has been hired as director for Diversity Assessment and Research, with Gina Campana serving as special assistant.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Projects and Initiatives
Shana Lee has been appointed director for special projects and initiatives for the division effective Sept. 1, and will be responsible for the AmeriCorps VISTA program, Academic STARS, special events and community outreach. David Moore and Avery Danage are serving as VISTA members in the division.

Women and Gender Initiatives
The Women’s Center continues to thrive under Director Heather Adams and Assistant Director Cassie Pegg-Kirby, with newly expanded responsibility for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Student Center as part of our women and gender initiatives. Roxie Patton serves as coordinator for the LGBTQ Student Center, which is now located in 229 Schwartz Center to provide more space and resources to support our LGBTQ students and their allies. We have also established a new Office of Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS). Jennie O’Connell, who serves as coordinator for the university’s Sexual Assault Response Team, also will serve as coordinator for the new SRVSS office.

Diane Matasek continues to serve as assistant to the vice president, and will be joined by Kim Kennedy, who will serve as special assistant for the division.

Visit our website at www.kent.edu/diversity for more information about the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including our programs and available resources. We would also like to invite the university community to meet our wonderful team and learn more about the efforts in our division. Please join us for our Fall Reception on Monday, Sept. 9, from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony. This reception also will highlight the recently released Charting our Future, Equity Action Plan—our division’s five-year strategic plan. Copies will be available for senior leadership in attendance. Please plan to join us.


Thank you,

Alfreda Brown, Ed.D.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Important Information Regarding Student Registration into Classes

As we begin the new semester, Kent State University's Office of the University Registrar asks for your assistance in making sure that all students are properly registered for their fall 2013 courses.

As per university policy, only officially registered students are permitted to attend courses. The link to official class rosters is found in FlashFAST, under the "Faculty Toolbox" within the "Faculty and Advisor Tools" tab. Students who are not officially registered within the appropriate time period WILL NOT receive a grade or earn credit for the course even if they attend the entire course and complete all required work.

Registration and schedule adjustment deadlines for courses can be found in the Detailed Class Search. To access the Detailed Class Search, visit the Registrar's website at www.kent.edu/registrar/, click the Schedule of Classes quicklink, and select Fall 2013.

Instructors are asked to remind students that it is important to finalize and verify their registration within the proper timeframe. After the published deadlines, adjustments in registration will only be considered for review by the Office of the University Registrar in situations where students have fully complied with their responsibilities.

Grades Submission Information
The deadline for submitting final grades can be found on the Registrar's website at www.kent.edu/registrar/calendars/index.cfm.

Incomplete Mark and NF/SF Grades
The administrative mark of IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who are unable to complete the work due to extenuating circumstances. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be currently passing and have completed at least 12 weeks of the semester. Graduate students must be currently earning a C or better grade and unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes.

The grade NF (Never Attended–Fail) denotes that the student neither attended one class session nor formally withdrew from the course. The grade SF (Stopped Attending–Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course.

For complete information on university grading policies including Incomplete Mark and NF/SF grading policies, procedures and timelines, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the university catalog at www.kent.edu/catalog/.

Student Recreation Fields Open for Play Aug. 26

The Student Recreation Fields, located at the corners of
East Summit Street and Loop Road, open Aug. 26. The fields
will be used for intramural soccer and flag football, as well as
multiple club sports.

Kent State University's Department of Recreational Services is proud to debut the Student Recreation Fields, opening Aug. 26. The fields, located at the corners of East Summit Street and Loop Road, will be used for intramural soccer and flag football, as well as multiple club sports. The fields are also available for general use when they are not reserved.

The two fields are the culmination of a two-year project for the Department of Recreational Services. A new pavilion between the fields is slated to open Sept. 16, and will feature a picnic area and restrooms.

“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Vice President Jarvie and President Lefton,” explains Kim Rufra, associated director for the Department of Recreational Services. “Their vision and support has allowed us to create a dedicated space for a number of programs and club sports.”

Members of the Kent State community are welcome and encouraged to use the Student Recreation Fields. The new fields will feature a flag notification system to communicate availability. A green flag indicates the fields are open and available for general use. A yellow flag signifies that the fields are reserved for a program or event. A red flag indicates that the fields are not available due to weather or other hazards.

“We want to see students, faculty and staff out on the fields,” says Rufra. “The Department of Recreational Services is offering new programs this semester that will make use of the space, and we’re excited for our club soccer, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee teams to have new home fields.”
 
To learn more about the Student Recreation Fields, visit www.kent.edu/recservices. To make a reservation, call Greg Bailey at 330-672-0463.

Kent State Alumni Association Initiative for Students

The Kent State University Alumni Association is looking for
exceptional undergraduate students to be a part of the
Student-Alumni Association.

The Kent State University Alumni Association is looking for your help to find exceptional undergraduate students to be a part of the Student-Alumni Association. The goal of the program is to reconnect alumni to the university through interviews conducted by the students.

Students will conduct one-hour interviews with alumni to learn about their Kent State experiences.  Students will receive $75 per interview. These interviews will take place throughout the academic year, even on holiday breaks. This is the perfect yearlong employment opportunity for students, and a great way for students to enhance their leadership skills.

If you know of a student who would be a perfect candidate for this role, please encourage them to apply for the program by Monday, Sept. 9. Students can apply here. Additionally, there will be an open house for interested students on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 7-9 p.m. at the Williamson Alumni Center.

If you have any questions, please contact Shilpi Tiwari, program coordinator for the Student-Alumni Association, at 330-672-5368 or stiwari1@kent.edu. 

Call for Kent State Alumni Award Nominations

The Kent State University Alumni Association invites faculty and staff to nominate deserving alumni for the Kent State University Alumni Awards. Sponsored by the alumni association, the Alumni Awards recognize graduates in the area of leadership, service, character and professional development.

Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 31, and award recipients will be honored at the 2014 Homecoming. To nominate an individual, visit www.ksualumni.org/alumniawards.